THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE HEIGHT AND SIZE OF THE WIREHAIRED VIZSLA
Photos supplied by Belinda Perry.
pedigrees into the 1960s, shows the typical size and type of Vizslas in Hungary. The appearance of the Wirehaired Vizsla is one of durability, a dog that is able to hunt all day in all types of terrain. “SIZE, PROPORTION, SUB- STANCE: The Wirehaired Vizsla is a medium sized hunting dog, however overall symmetry and balance are more important than mere measurable size. The ideal male adult (over 12 months of age) is 23 to 25 inches at the highest point over the shoul- der blades. The ideal female adult (over 12 months of age) is 211/2 to 23 inches. Because the Wirehaired Vizsla is meant to be a medi- um-sized hunter, any dog measuring more than 1 inch over or under these limits must be disqualified…” The acceptable height range for the males is 22-26 inches, the females’ range is 201/2-24 inches. This is a 4-inch spread for the males and a 31/2 inch spread for the females, which is very possible to see in the ring today. As the standard says, the mere measurable size is not to be consid- ered as much as the balance. Add to this the substance for durability and the coat for function in harsh weather. I don’t think the origin of the breed’s standard was to limit this breed to a specific terrain. The Wirehaired Vizsla is an all-around hunt- ing dog, developed for the falconer and walking hunter to hunt fur, feather, and blood trails in the fields, forest, and water. A 26-inch dog would be more efficient in a spacious field with tall vegetation, while a 22-inch dog could better maneuver the dense vegetation of a forest. Therefore, a dog or bitch at either end of the acceptable standard height should be considered cor- rect. What we would like for the judges to see is a working/versatile hunting dog that walks into a show ring.
THE WIREHAIRED VIZSLA IS AN ALL-AROUND HUNTING DOG, DEVELOPED FOR THE FALCONER AND WALKING HUNTER TO HUNT FUR, FEATHER, AND BLOOD TRAILS IN THE FIELDS, FOREST, AND WATER.
320 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2021
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